Elevating device for shipping vehicles



Oct. 28, 1930; c. A. NooNE ELEVATING DEVICE FOR SHIPPING VEHICLES 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 22, 1929 Oct. 2s, 1930. c, A NONE 1,779,948

"ELEV'AIING DEVICE FOR SHIPPING VEHICLES Filed July 22, 1929 2 Sheets-SheeI 2 ...mlm

jil WIW" 'Null-WWI INVENTOR (U/.s /l/ame my @iwf/14mm ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 28, 1930 UNITEDSTATESI PATENT lol'sricrf:

CHARLES A. NOONE, 0F JCHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR T0 THE GHATTANOOGA MANUFACTURING COMPANY, CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, A CORPORATION OIiy j AEIEVAT'INGi- DEVICE FOR SHIPPING `VEHICLES. v

Applicatonlcd July 22, 1929. Serial No. 380,171.

My invention relates to a device for shipping automobiles or other vehicles, and particularly has forits object. the` provision, in connection with` a carrier, in which vehicles 5 are shipped in tiers, (or double-decks 4one over thev other, of means for elevating and placing and retaining in position the vehicles.

intended to be carried on the vupper decks.'

A further object of my invention is to pro- 1.@ vide means whereby thevehicle, onceY fastened in place,.may be protected against longitudinal and transverse strains from movement during transit or switching operations.

Prior to'my invention, apparati in commonruse for elevating vehicles and retaining them in position during a period of transit were complicated in construction, operation and installation and, consequently, not only were very expensive 'to manufacture, but 2@ their use was fraught with' numerous delays and difficulty. Y My novel device is much simpler in construction than those generally in use today,'and by the use of itgavehicle may be placed in position and firmly ,and permanently vbraced there against movement in any' direction within avery'short time; j `Moreover my device has the added'ad'vantage that it may if desired be constructed almost entirely of'wood, `and therefore the eX- pense of constructing and-installing it is very small compared with that involved in manufacturing and installing steel devices. Inthe'drawings: Figure 1 is a viewY showing myr device fully installed and in operation.

Figure is a side elevation showing the apparatus fully installed,

Figure 3 is a View showingjthe brace construction. f f Similar reference characters refer to simillar parts in the respective figures.- For convenience in description vonly one unit will be referred to, and to conserve space only one will be shown inthe drawings, al- *5 though at least two suchunits and possibly four will Vbe used in factual practice to sup-v port'each vehicle desired to be carried. For example, if it is desired to carry a greater number of vehicles in one carrier, the devices yen 5l vmay beusedto supportthe two front `axles only and therear axles may be blocked yor otherwise supported, :in 'any suitable well known manner so that the vehicles rest in inclined position. Or if it is desired to-carry two ldecks of cars, one unit will Vheuse-d to V5,5 support each aXle of the car. f f Referring now to the drawings:

1 ,is an upright plank nailed orsecured in some other suitable manner to the side wall 2 of a freight car or other similar carrier comi. 60

pertinent, (e. g., the hold of a Steamship).v-4

This Vplank may be of a length corresponding to the height of the car, or may be shorter as desired. Its lower end preferably rests on the floor 3 of the car. 65 A plank k4 has oneend beveled slightly at 5 so that it may rest. firmly against plank 1 when the deviceis in operative position. A block 3? may if desired bc nailed to the car Y floor toprevent displacement of the plank. IKOY 4 when the latter is in operative position in a rapidly moving freight-train or Steamship. Such block vis not an absolute necessity and is therefore .shownin dotted linesonly in the drawings. As an alternative the plank 4 if4 75 desired maybe nailed to plank 1 and to the floor when the device is actually loaded ready f for use. Y l

,'Em'bedded in the plank 1 as by countersinking or vsimilar means is the vhead of La8() bolt 7,the end of whose threaded shank passes through an opening 4c vin the plank 4. vI may l find it desirable to provide several such openings with corresponding countersunk bores in the plank 1. This permits thebolt 7 to be-5 placed in different positions according to the make of `carbeing'transported,,the `size of rthe' carrier VV'chamber and the heightvabove the floor to which itis ,desired to raise the vehicle. The openings 4c rare. e somewhat@ larger than the] diameter of the bolt shank kso that when the 'device is not in actual use plank .4 can be ,swung inwardly towards plank 1 without the necessity `of removing thebolt and thus the apparatus 'may be in- ,4?5

.stalled in a freightj car or similar carrierl operations. Nut S on the end of bolt 7 serves to hold the plank 4 against outward movement whether the unit is actually in use or swung back out of the way.

Near the upper end of the plank 4 is an opening r4a intended to receive and support the axle ot an automobile or other vehicle and thus support the vehicle in elevated posi tion, and a.k groove 4 is cnt in the top end of the plank for the same purpose. If it y is desired to carry the vehicle without removing the wheels, the groove 4" is used, if it is found more advantageous to remove the wheels the opening 4 .is used'as a support. If the wheels are not removed and the notches 4b are usedas axle supports a strap 9 is provided, preferably ot' metal, to hold the axlesk in place. Figure 1 shows the wheels of the vehicle (in dotted outline and the axle shafts being broken away) positioned in the groove. The groove may if it is desired be lined with tin or othermetal.

It will Anow be seen that when the unit is not in actual use (e. g. during the loading operations and prior to the elevating operation) the upright plank 1 is in position nailed to the side wall of the car, and the plank 4 is in the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. lVhen itis desired to place a vehicle in position for transportation, it may be jacked up or elevated by any other known method to a point high enough to insure sufficient clearance for a second vehicle desiring to be positioned underneath it. At the same time the plank 4 is swung forward until the openings 4, (or the notches 4b whichever are used) are opposite the axles of the vehicle, when the axles are passed through the openings 4, where they are securely held. vIf the wheels have not been removed the axles are positioned in the grooves 4b `and fastened therein with the straps 9.

To hold the plank 4 against swinging inward when the freight car is in motion, a brace, eonstructedin a manner to be presently described is now slipped down into position embracing planks 1 and 4, and the vehicle isin position for shipment.

The construction ot the bracing means is as follows: In the preferred form a member 10 is recessed at or near its longitudinal center, the vwidth of the recess substantially corresponding to the width, and of a thickness substantially corresponding to the thickness ofthe plank 1. To this plank on either side of the central'recess are secured arms 12 consisting of ytwo planks nailed or otherwise attached to each other atan angle. The free abut against the plank when the brace is in position and wedge it tightly against nut 8. A cross-piece 14 joins pieces 10 and 13 thus holding piece 13 against dislodgment, and a strap preferably of metal, is provided which may be secured around the wheel if the latter is not removed thus serving as additional reinforcement with the brace lnember proper.

It will be understood that if it appears advantageous, the piece 10 may be constructed in three separate pieces, using three planks therefor, but the form I have described is preferable. c

When the brace has been slipped securely into position and the member 10 nailed to the side wall of the car and the strap 15 fastened, the plank 4 ywill be held against movement in yany direction and the vehicle will be secure extending support and means firmly embracing both of said supports for holding said obliquely extending support in desired position when the device is in use. 1

2. In a device of the class described, a unit comprising anupright support, an obliquely extending support one end of which is beveled so that it mayrest against the upright support on the floor of a freight car, an opening in said obliquely extending support to receive the axle of a vehicle, and means lirmly embracing ysaid upright support and said obliquely extending support for holding said obliquely extending support in desired position when the device is in use.

3. In a device of the class described, a unit comprising an upright member, an obliquely extending member, one'end of which is beveled so that it may rest against the upright member on the floor of a freight car, means for preventing said obli uely extending member from slipping out o? position on the Hoor of the car, an opening in said obliquely extending member adapted to receive the axle of a vehicle, a groove in the top of said obliquely extending member also adapted to receive the axle of a vehicle, means for holding the axle in position in the groove, and means for holding said obliquely extending member in position when the device is in use. f

4. In a device of the class described, a unit comprising an upright member, an obliquely extending member, one end of which is beveled to rest against said upright member, adjustable means for regulating the inclination of the obliquely extending member, an

imams opening inl said obliquely extendingnmember adapted to receive the axle of a vehicle, a

lgroove inthe top ofl said obliqiiely extending member, also adapted to receive the axle of aA vehicle,-ineans for holding in position an axle that has 'been placed in the groove, and means 'for holding'saidobliqiiely extending member in position when it is in use.

in a device of the' class described, a unit comprisingan upright member, an obliquely extendinglmeinber, one end of which is adapted torest on the ioor of a freight car vor other means of transportation, means for preventing said obliqiiely extending member from slipping ont position on the car iioor, adjirstablev means for holding said member against; outward movement when in use and when not in use and means firmly embracing said member for holding said member against inward movement when in use.

6. in a device of the class described, a unit i f comprising an upright member, an obliqiiely extending member, one end of which is adapted to rest on the floor of a freight car or other means of transportation, means for preventing said obliqiiely extending` member from slipping ont of position on the car floor, a

' threaded bolt connecting said upright member-and said obliqiiely extending member, a mit on said bolt adaptedtohold said obliqiiely extending member against outward movement When the device is in use or When it is not in use, and detachable 'bracing means adapted When in use-to embrace bot-hof the aforementioned members.

7. in a device vof tlierclass described, a unit comprising an upright member, an obliqiiely extending L member, one end of which is adapted to rest on the floor of a freight car or other means of transportation,

means for preventing said obliqiiely extending' member from slipping out of position on the car floor, an adpistable threaded bolt connecting said upright member and said obliqiiely -xtending member, and detachable bracing means adapted When in use to em-v brace both of the aforementioned members.

8. In a device of the class described, a unit comprising an upright member, an obliquely extending member, one end ofr Which is adapted to rest on the floor of a freight car or other means of transportation, and to abut againstsaid upright member, means for preventing said obliqiiely extending member from slipping ort of position on the car iioor, an opening in'said obliquely extending ineinber adapted to` receive the axle of a vehicle, a threaded bolt connecting said upright member and said obliquely extending member, a

niit onsaid bolt adapted to hold said obliqiiely extending` member against outward movement when the device is in use or when it is not in use, and detachable bracing means adapted When in ruse to embrace both of the aforementioned members.-

9( In a device of the class described, a unit comprisingan upright member, an obliqnely extending member, oneend of Which is adapted'to rest on the ioor of a freight car or other vmeansof transportation, and to abut agains right member and said obliqnely ext-ending member,a nut 'on said bolt adapted to hold said obliquely extending member against outward movement When-the device is in use or when itis not infuse,'and detachable bracing means adapted when in use to embrace both of the aforementioned members.

lO. 'In a deviceof the class'described, a

iinit comprisinfy .an/upright `member, an

obliqiiely extending member, one end of which is adapted to rest on the floor of aV freight car or other means of transportation, and to abut against said upright member, v means for preventingsaid obliquel)7 extending member from slipping out of position on thercar; floor, an opening in said obliqnely extending' member adaptedV to receive the `axle-of a vehicle, groove inthe top of said oblidiiely extending member "to receive the "axle of a vehicle-athreaded bolt connecting said upright member and said obliqiiely exf tendinginember, a. mit on said bolt adapted to hold. Vsaid obliqnely extending member against outward" movement when the device is in use or when it is not .in use,'and detachable bracing means adapted When in use to embrace both of the aforementioned members.

ll. In a device of the class described, a unit.

comprising an Upright member, an obliquely extending member, one end of which is adapted to rest on the floor of a freight car or other means of transportation, and to abut against saidupright member, means for preventing said obliqiiely extending member .Y VTo said upright member, means ior preventing 4 Svi) iio ' from slipping ont of position on the car lioor, i,

anl opening iii said obliquely extending member adaptedto receive the axle of a vehicle, i

a groove inthe top of said obliq'iiely extending member to receive the axle of a vehicle, an adjustable threaded bolt connecting said upright member and said obliqnelyextending member` nut on said bolt adapted to hold said obliqiiely extending member against outward movement when the device is in use l 'or when it is' not in use, and detachable bracyobliquelyy extending 'angular members attached at none end to saidy horizontally extendingmernber, a Wedge-member connecting f said angular members near their free ends, and a cross-bar connecting said wedgev member and the horizontally extending member.

13. A detachable bracing means for use with vehicle loading devices comprising a horizontallyextending member, angular members attached at one end to said horizontally extending member and extending obliquely therefrom and in a pla-neperpendicular to the plane thereof, a wedge-member, connectingr near their free ends said angular members, the sides of said wedge-member being in a plane which extends downwardly to meet the plane of the aforementioned horizontally extending member. and a cross-bar connecting said wedge-member and the horizontally extending member.

14. detachable bracing means for use with vehicle loading devices comprising a horizontally extending member provided with a recess, angular members attached at one end to said horizontally extendingr member and extending obliquely therefrom and in a plane perpendicular to the plane thereof, a wedge-member connecting near their free ends said angular-members, the sides of said Wedge-member being in a plane which extends downwardly to meet the plane of the aforementioned horizontally extending member, and a cross-bar connecting said wedgemember and the horizontally extending member.

15. In a unit of a device for loading vehicles for transportation, an upright member, an outwardly and upwardly extending member, one end of which is adapted to rest on the floor of the carrier, means to prevent said outwardly and upwardly extending member -from slipping .trom position when in use, an opening in said outwardly and upwardly extending member to receive the axle of a vehicle, a groove in the top of said outwardly and upwardly extending member to receive the axle of a vehicle, a strap for holding the axle in the groove, adjustable bolt and nut means connecting said member and said upright member to prevent outward displacement of said member whether it is in use 0r swung inwards from operative position and toward said upright member, and detachable bracing means adapted to embrace both said members and prevent inward displacement of v said outwardly extending member when in use, said bracing means comprising a horizontally ext-ending member, provided with a recess whose width is substantially equal to the Width of the upright member, angular members extending in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the horizontally extending member and whose free ends are spaced apart a distance which is substantially the width of said outwardly and upwardly extending member, a wedge-piece connecting the anlar members at a distance from thefree ends thereof which is substantially the thickness of said outwardly and upwardly extending member, and one edge of which is adapted to abut against said member and hold it against inward displacement when the device is in use, a cross-bar connecting said wedgemember and the. single horizontally extend- July, 1929.

CHARLES A. NOONE. 

